After finishing their meal, the four of them left the dining hall.
Jean wasn't busy anyway, so she joined them in returning to the library.
Amber found Ying'er and Xianyun there and took them to the alchemy lab to meet Sucrose.
Jean, meanwhile, returned alone to the bookshelf where she'd picked up the romance novel that morning. She quietly slid the book back into place, then walked to the office door of the library.
She raised her hand and knocked.
After a while, Lisa's lazy voice drifted out from inside.
"Who is it?"
"It's me."
"Jean? Come in."
Jean pushed the door open and stepped inside, closing it behind her.
Lisa was still sprawled over the desk, eyes half-closed, looking like she could never quite wake up.
Jean walked over and said helplessly, "I told you not to stay up all night reading. Now look at you—completely wiped out."
Lisa lazily opened one eye and muttered, "You know I'm trying to catch up on sleep, and you still come bother me?"
Jean glanced at the Fontaine clock on the wall. "Look at the time—it's lunchtime. Aren't you hungry?"
"A little… but I don't want to move. Let me keep sleeping." Lisa closed her eyes again. "Shut the door on your way out."
"You…"
Jean sighed softly, and Lisa heard her footsteps moving around the office. But instead of heading toward the door, they went toward the tea table.
Moments later, Lisa heard the sound of someone picking up the kettle and removing the stopper.
"Good, there's still hot water."
Lisa heard Jean mutter that to herself.
Hot water? What's she doing, making tea? Let her be, then…
Lisa didn't open her eyes. The exhaustion from staying up all night washed over her again, and with the safety of having her closest friend nearby, she drifted off into a deep sleep.
She had a dream.
She dreamt of some strange, unbelievably fragrant food floating in the air. She didn't know what it looked like, but the smell was so good she couldn't resist chasing after it.
No matter how hard she ran, she couldn't catch up. All she could do was follow along behind it, breathing in the tantalizing aroma.
The smell grew stronger and stronger, and she could even feel warm steam brushing against her face, as if it were right in front of her.
But when she reached out, she still couldn't grab anything…
What a weird dream. Why would I dream of something like this?
Lisa thought to herself.
Probably because I skipped lunch and I'm starving.
"Lisa… Lisa… wake up."
Jean's voice called gently in her ear.
Lisa slowly opened her eyes, emerging from the dream.
"Mm… Jean? You're still here? Haven't finished your tea yet?"
"Tea? What tea?"
"Didn't you use the kettle?"
"I was using it to make you instant noodles. Sit up—they're ready. Hurry and eat."
"Huh? Instant noodles?"
Lisa lifted her head from the desk and saw a paper cup placed in front of her, emitting the same delicious aroma she'd just smelled in her dream.
"This… this is that thing…"
Jean looked puzzled. "What thing?"
Lisa stretched lazily, her curves shifting gracefully. "Nothing…"
Jean didn't press. "Come on, eat before it gets soggy."
Lisa picked up the fork, stirred the noodles, and asked, "Where did you get this instant noodle?"
"Mr. Xia gave it to me."
"He gave it to you?"
"Yeah."
"Why would he think of giving you something like this?"
"Because I wanted it. Stop asking and eat already."
"Why so pushy?"
"Because right now is the best time to eat it! Don't miss the window."
"Jean, it's rare to see you so impatient."
"…"
"Alright, alright, I'm eating—happy now? Geez… huh?"
The moment Lisa took a bite, her playful smile froze.
Jean found it amusing. "How is it? Good?"
Lisa didn't answer. She carefully savored the noodles, swallowed, and quickly twirled up another bite.
"Lisa, is it good?"
"Don't talk. Let me eat."
"Tch, it's rare to see you like this."
"…"
A few minutes later, Lisa finished the broth and placed the empty cup on the table, completely satisfied. "These noodles… are incredible."
Jean smiled. "Told you."
Lisa also felt her mood lift after eating the noodles.
But unlike Jean, as a scholar, she immediately noticed something strange about this emotional shift.
This wasn't just about being full—it was as if some unknown power had influenced her mood.
Lisa pondered for a moment, then looked at Jean seriously. "Jean, how many instant noodles did Mr. Xia give you?"
"He gave me…" Jean suddenly paused, staring at Lisa suspiciously. "Why are you asking?"
"Give me a few cups."
"?"
"Hey! What's that look supposed to mean? Aren't we best friends? You won't even share a few instant noodles with me?"
"It's not about that. Mr. Xia gave them to me so I could eat them when I'm working late. You don't work late—you just want to snack…"
Lisa's face turned serious. "This isn't about snacking! I think there's something off about these noodles. Didn't you notice? They seem to contain some kind of mood-altering substance. That could be dangerous! If you eat too much, you might start hallucinating. Someone could hypnotize you and you'd never know. I'm worried about you—that's why I want to study them."
Jean fell silent for a moment. "You're overthinking it. Mr. Xia isn't that kind of person."
"See?! You've only met him a few times and you already trust him this much. I think you've been psychologically influenced."
"If it's for research, one cup should be enough. Why do you need several?"
"To create more samples! That way the results will be more accurate."
"Then I'll give you two."
"Five, minimum!"
"Three."
"Five!"
"Fine, don't take them, then. I'm leaving."
"Wait, wait! Okay, okay, three! I'm only doing this because you're my best friend, otherwise I wouldn't bother with this hassle."
Jean pulled out three cups of instant noodles from her storage and placed them on the table.
Lisa took two of them and stored them away, then opened the last one, eyes sparkling with interest.
Jean looked at her. "Not sleepy anymore?"
"You're underestimating me. Back when I was studying in Sumeru, I used to pull all-nighters for days writing papers… Hmm, I can't tell much just by looking. Jean, get me the hot water."
"You're just still hungry, aren't you?"
"No."
Two minutes later.
"Whew, it's hot…"
"Knew it—you're still hungry."
"You don't get it. I'm using myself as a test subject. Yep… I can feel my mood lifting again."
"…"
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